Happy New Year from all the Alliance partners have a
fantastic 2010 and some great scuba diving.



Happy Holidays... have some great diving with us in 2010!

A very happy New Year - prost Neujahr - bonne année - onnellista uutta vuotta - gelukkig Nieuwjaar - ath bhliain faoi mhaise - selamat tahun baru - godt nytt år - szczliwego nowego roku - feliz ano novo - gott nytt år manigong bagong taon - sawatdii pimaï - kung hé fat tsoi - xin nian kuai le / xin nian hao - godt nytår - eutichismenos o kainourgios chronos - felice anno nuovo, buon anno - S novim godom - sreno novo leto - Cung Chúc Tân Xuân
yeni yiliniz kutlu olsun

Please sign the Thank You Palau in appriciation for the Worlds first Shark Sanctuary, just click on the LINK below or the image.

THANK YOU from around the World!

Go raibh maith agat - Gracias - 谢谢您 - Bedankt - Salamat - merci - Σε ευχαριστώ - terima kasih - Danke -Cảm ơn bạn - ขอบคุณ - ありがとうございました - 謝謝您 - Dankie - شكرا لك - tänan teid - Благодаря - धन्यवाद - grazie - dziękuję - TACK SJÄLV - благодарю - tänan teid - 감사합니다 - obrigado - تشکر از شم - Teşekkürler - א דאנק - Дзякуй - Kiitos - תוֹדָה - köszönöm!


http://www.sharksavers.org/get-involved/sign-these-petitions/608-thank-you-palau.html

For more information visit: www.sharksanctuary.com   or  www.sharksanctuary.blogspot.com

Announcement!

During the next couple of month’s the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance Website and Blog is undergoing some major restructuring, more info will be available soon. If you experiencing some interruption please bear with us, we try to make these changes as smooth as possible, thank you.
Expanding globally, plus some exciting NEWS shortly. Servicing the Diving Industry through out Asia the Pacific and beyond.
Please stay tuned for the latest info @ http://www.alliancediving.com/

or subscribe to our Blog @ http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/
The Editor

Nick Day a Pro. Diver from Puerto Galera, Philippines, is an old friend whom I have dived with many times, he is also is one of the crewmembers that recently discovered the “Forbes” Wreck that sank in 1806 of Borneo, Nick is all smiles now.

Congratulation to Nick and his Team, Nick is the
Chief Diver for PT Nautik Recovery Asia !
(in the Photo Nick is the one wearing a black & red wetsuit)

We picked up this report from the German newspaper Bild.de Unfortunately the text is only in German but have a look at some of the Photos.
1.5 tons of Silver Coins, Gold jewelry, Canons, Crystal and Ming Porcelain valued at over 10 million US Dollars.
Photos and more info from the recent discovered wreck in Borneo.

Below excerpts in German from the article:
„Zuerst sieht alles auf dem Meeresboden nur verkrustet und wertlos aus. Aber wenn du dann den Schatz in den Händen hältst, ist das ein unbeschreiblicher Adrenalinstoß. Man wird Zeuge vergangener Zeiten...“

Martin Wenzels (42) Augen leuchten, wenn er in seinem Dresdner Büro der Immobilienfirma WIP von seinem kostspieligen Hobby erzählt. Der Lebemann (Mercedes CL500, 60-qm-Büro mit Billardtisch und weißen Ledersofas) ist im „Zweitberuf“ Schatztaucher.

Und hat jetzt mit seinem Partner Klaus Keppler (71, gebürtig aus Freiburg) den ganz großen Fang gemacht: Sie fanden das Wrack des Piratenschiffes „Forbes“, das 1806 vor Borneo sank.

Darin: 1,5 Tonnen Silbermünzen, Goldschmuck, Kanonen, Kristall, Ming-Porzellan. Wert der Münzen allein: bis zu 10 Mio. Dollar!
More at BILD.de

Just in... latest NEWS from Palau!

Palau's president says his tiny Pacific island state considered human rights - and not China's reaction - when it agreed to take in 17 Chinese Muslim separatists detained at Guantanamo Bay.
Palau President Johnson Toribiong says his country has agreed to a U.S. request to resettle the detainees out of humanitarian concerns and because their imprisonment is unlawful...
read the complete article and more NEWS LINKS at:
http://www.palautours.com/blog.html

© Gunther Deichmann - was the decision made here?
The Palau Capitol Building

TDEX - THAILAND DIVE & TRAVEL EXPO
BANGKOK MAY 2009

The Thailand Dive & Travel Expo finished last weekend, a great show with many exhibitors and activities.

The Crowd...

A modern look at the Canon Photo exhibition

Fins the Media representatives buzzed around recording live interviews and Tony Wu one of the top Underwater photographers in Asia and beyond conducted some cool Underwater Photography Seminars.
As for my part, I helped out where ever I could, shooting behind the scene and had my own seminars on Aperture 2, the leading Photography Software from Apple.
For more information and details on TDEX click this link.

Tony Wu during his Underwater photography Seminars




Gunther Deichmann and Aperture 2


Mean & Aye The Fins Team hard at work with interviews


Tony Wu and David Cheung from Light and Motion (Scuba Singapore)Underwater Housing and lighting equipment at the Dive Supply Booth Bangkok - www.scubacam.com.sg

I am leaving on Thursday for the TDEX Thailand Dive & Travel Expo, I have been invited by the Organizers to conduct some seminars on Aperture 2 the prime editing software for Photographers using Mac.
We have scheduled two seminars on the 16th and 17th of May for more details go to the official website TDEX.
Our good friends from Fins will be the official media representative during this event.
Check out FINS website

If time permits I try and report direct from the show, see below some info on the TDEX in Bangkok.

Official Media Fins

For more detailed info please go to the official TDEX website @
http://www.thailanddiveexpo.com/en/index.php

Thailand is long-time seen as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia. Each year, there are millions of visitors come exploring its endless beauties by different activities and in different places. Programs of high interest include edutainment tourism to perceive legendary Thai culture and traditions, and natural tourism where travelers can enjoy its beautiful sceneries of mountains, waterfalls, rivers, and/or seas.

Known to all globetrotters and dive lovers that both Thailand’s western (The Andaman Sea) and eastern (Gulf of Thailand) seaboards still have very much of their natural underwater resources abundant and intact. Statistics shows over 400,000 divers over the world arrive in Thailand’s southern provinces each year, generating revenue to the country not less than 20 billion in Baht.

As to align with the extensive tourism promotional campaigns announced by the Tourism Authority of Thailand to highlight quality travelers to the country from new and niche market segments, as well as to create awareness in conserving natural resources especially diving spots around the South, N.C.C. Exhibition Organizer Co. (NEO), a member of N.C.C. Group – the official concessionaire of the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok decided to launch its “Thailand Travel & Dive Expo” or TDEX for the very first time in 2004.

Since then, TDEX has been offering an excellent platform for traveling and diving related business. With its recent program in “Business Matching”, providing industrial operators to meet up with their prospective buyers from around the region, creating the perfect business environmental opportunity for such special industry. TDEX’s major supporting organizations from the beginning include Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thailand Photo Business Association, PADI Asia Pacific, DAN SEAP, NAUI Asia Pacific, and Wahoo Diving Center.

TDEX has been a success from its debut in 2004 by not only the numbers of exhibitor locally, regionally, and now internationally, but also the numbers of visitor in which the organizer expects to welcome more than 120,000 in 2008, with overall spending around 200 million in Baht, making TDEX the most regional travel and dive expo with the greatest number of visitors in Asia.

TDEX in 2009 will be held during May 14-17 from 11.00 till 20.00 at the nation first ever-built convention center – the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Klong Toei district. Tourism Authority of Thailand.

We have just received some Photos from Dirk Fahrenbach who attended the ADEX Show in Singapore last week. Other Alliance Partners who attended where Asia Divers from Puerto Galera with Allan Nash and Tommy Soderstrom.

Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center and
Club Paradise in Palawan and Allan Nash from Asia Divers with
El Galleon Beach Resort in Puerto Galera

Some of the other participants from the Philippine
DOT Booth


Allan Nash, Dirk Fahrenbach and Tommy Soderstrom
having a relaxing drink after the show

A BBC film crew captured some amazing Video footage...
thousands of sharks, dolphins and gannets feast on the sardines.


© Gunther Deichmann - a frisky shark at
Blue Corner in Palau, Micronesia

Fish feast frenzy caught on film
By Rebecca Morelle
Science reporter, BBC News

A sardine feeding frenzy has been captured on camera in remarkable detail. A BBC crew filmed thousands of sharks and dolphins, as well as elusive Bryde's whales, feasting on shoals.
The footage also revealed gannets' deft underwater hunting skills as they dived to catch sardines.
Each winter, cool ocean currents drive millions of the small fish northwards along the eastern coast of South Africa.
These immense shoals, squeezed into this narrow cold-water corridor, provide an incredible feeding opportunity for the predators that live in and around these waters, watch the Video and read more at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7921119.stm

A Kaleidoscope of Colors and Success at the
TRAVEL TOUR EXPO Manila 2009...

It came as a big surprise... the ongoing Travel Tour Expo at the new SMX complex next to the Mall of Asia in Manila, Philippines.
Great attendance with local and international Tour Operators; Travel Agents, Airlines and so many others.
To name just a few: Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, India, Macau, Hong Kong, Singapore, Palau Micronesia (PVA) Tourism Authorities where present. Travel Agencies in all shape and sizes offered their deals and bargains, like Continental Airline with the super special to Palau for US$ 495.- for 3 nights including accommodation,(see our previous blog)
“Incredible India” India Tourism had the famous Taj Mahal in super size on display or Macau with a Grand setup.
Even Lufthansa had their own Booth, not to mention all the others like Singapore Air, Thai, Gulf and local airlines like Seair, Philippine Airlines only to mention a few.

Big Crowd at the TTE...

Friday and Saturday saw a record Crowd, and from the feedback and some interviews, I received word that major bookings and inquiries have been made. Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center for e.g., Dirk Fahrenbach confirmed many bookings for accommodation and Diving, at the Palau booth Sam’s Tours received a lot of interest and some early bookings too.
The Tour Operators where buzzing where ever I went...
But not only our participating Alliance Partners had been swamped with bookings, many other tour and resort operators done real well too.

Dirk Fahrenbach and Rolf Winkelhausen, Dugong Dive Center


The crew...Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center, Palawan


Can you spot Dirk and Rolf?
Great Coffee Shop area at the SMX complex


Jenny from Club Paradise with a customer

Continental Airlines Booth.


Sam’s Tours was represented by Adela M. Balangkig
(dark blue shirt) at the Palau Visitors Tour booth, PVA

In short... a fantastic and very successful Travel and Tour Expo, held in the ultra modern SMX Complex, great layout and facilities, super Coffee Shops, fantastic clean Toilets and believe it or not German Bratwurst, just like at the Duesseldorf Boot Show.
My only criticism...the show was not advertised enough, but gathering from the mammoth crowed the word did get out, I found out some 4 weeks ago.
One more Time.... a world Class by any international standard Trade Show, equal to Thailand or Singapore.
Congratulation to the Organizer for a job well done, lets do it again next year with a bit more advertising and the Philippines can be reckon with as a major event holder.
GD

FOR MOR INFO AND PRESS RELEASES GO TO:
http://www.ptaatraveltourexpo.com.ph/
Super Special from Continental Airlines at the Manila 16th TRAVEL TOUR EXPO
Travel Period: January 21-march,2009
Dive Palau! -2 for as low as
US$ 495.- for 3 days...
Palau is only 2.1/2 hours away from Manila.

Including roundtrip economy class airfare to Palau,two (2) nights hotel accommodation,daily hotel breakfast and roundtrip airport transfers. For more information and reservation, please call Continental Airlines at; 818-8701 or 032 -233-7533 in Cebu City. Or contact your local Travel Agent.

Palau Visitors Booth (PVA) Darin de Leon from PVA
and representatives from the Tour and Resort Operators.

Palau Visitors Authority participation in the 16th TravelTour Expo 2009 in Manila, held at February 6 to 8 at Halls 2, 3 & 4 of SMX Convention Center, Pasay City. Participating Tour Operator from Palau was our Alliance Memeber Sam’s Tours who was represented by Adela. (front) plus many others.
Dugong Dive Center and Club Paradise participated also during this years Travel Expo in Manila.

“Coffee Time”Carsten Warncke Club Paradise and
the famous Ralf & Dirk from Dugong Dive Center,
Palawan, Philippines.

The TravelTour Expo was conceptualized by PTAA in 1994 to showcase the products and services of its members. Since then, the show has evolved into a much awaited annual industry event, covering practically all segments of the travel business.
After its successful move to SMX Convention Center this year, preparations are again underway for the 16th TravelTour Expo 2009 which will take place on February 6 to 8 at Halls 2, 3 & 4 of SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.
With the theme “Travel in Style” , the event features two new segments – lifestyle (which will cover travel accessories, health and wellness products and services, culinary schools, car rentals and the like) and food sellers with lounge areas.
PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR ANOTHER MORE IN DEPTHS UPDAYE SHORTLY, DIRECT FROM THE TRAVEL EXPO IN MANILA.

Your Dive Paradise is waiting for YOU!


Dugong Dive Center at Club Paradise, Palawan,
the only place for Dugongs in their natural
Environment in the Philippines

This has just arrived from the 2009 Duesseldorf Boot Show in Germany, "One Week with Dugong Dive Center at Vicky’s Guesthouse: Accommodation, Food, Boat and Non Limit Diving, “ONLY 400,- Euro !!!" for info contact Dirk Fahrenbach
at: info@dugongdivecenter.com
Tel numbers: +63 9209519100 and +63 9178669877 and +63 9178533394
or visit Dugong Dive Centers Web Site @ http://www.dugongdivecenter.com/

Dirk’s Team "Lynn and Rudy" at the
Philippine DOT Booth Duesseldorf
Boot Show 2009, Germany


A tranquil setting at Vicky’s Guesthouse


© Courtesy of Dugong Dive Center,
Dugongs at the House Reef

 
© Gunther Deichmann - DIVE the WRECKS of Coron Bay, Palawan


© Gunther Deichmann - DIVE the WRECKS of Coron Bay, Palawan

We have just received this information from the Duesseldorf Boot Show in Germany, attended by the Palau Visitors Authority PVA and other major Operators like Palau Pacific Resort, Sam’s Tours and the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance Members, like Dugong Dive Center and Club Paradise and Asia Divers with El Galleon Beach Resort

SUPER NEWS!!!!!!!!!!! China Air just released the following information: FRANKFURT - TAIPEI - KOROR Roundtrip only EU 1,076 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OUTBOUND: Monday:  Depart Frankfurt        11:20   CI062 Tuesday: Arrive Taipei        06:05 Non-stop Depart Taipei       07:00 CI7908 Arrive Koror        12:05   Non-Stop (noon)
RETURN:Tuesday Depart Koror       13:05 CI7907 Arrive Taipei        15:55 Non-stop Depart Taipei       23:55 CI061 Wednesday: Arrive Frankfurt   06:40 Non-stop GENEROUS BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE: Economy:        2 x 23kg each Business:         2 x 32kg each Non overnights. Baggage checked all the way thru. Includes Trainfare to Frankfurt More info:  info@china-airlines.de Tel: 069-297-0580 www.china-airlines.de RESTRICTIONS: Cannot be booked on-line at China Air (yet..not in system) Must call China Air or book through Travel Agent. Must originate in Frankfurt

Getting together in Manila before leaving for the
Duesseldorf Boot Show 2009 in Germany


from left: Dirk, Dermot and GD

Manila is the hub for the Philippine Micronesia Alliance Partners, Sam Scott, Dermot Keane from Sam’s Tours “snowed” in and they will be once in Germany, ha, ha.
From the Tropics to the bitter cold, but let me assure you these Guys can handle it, veterans of the Duesseldorf Boot Show over many years and talking about Veterans, Dirk Fahrenbach from the Dugong Dive Center and Club Paradise joined Sam and Dermot for a few hours here at PMA virtual office.
They arrived late on Wednesday night, stopped by for a few Beers and the next day before taken the flight to Germany spend most of the morning fine tuning a big, big surprise to be announced tomorrow.

Sam making last minute calls to Palau from Manila via Skype

They got their Laptops out connected to or Wi-fi and organized what still had to be organized before leaving for Germany, Sam called Palau on Skype and we fixed a few things on his MacBook Pro including getting iTunes and his iPod ready for the long Journey. Dermot hammered away and did some fine tuning on our big surprise to be announced shortly...in a few hours. Dont you love suspense...
Dirk Fahrenbach after 23 years of attending the Boot Show cant make it this time around due to some other urgent matters but he will be represented by some staff at the Philippine Booth.

A nice reunion in Manila...plus a hint on our surprise tomorrow...
Dermot Keane is holding up the first T-Shirt from the
Palau Shark Sanctuary

I guess you have to stay tuned for our announcement tomorrow and I keep you posted whenever I can on the Boot Show 2009 reporting from our freezing partners. By the way Tommy from Asia Divers our other partner in Puerto Galera will be there too and I am sure they get together for some good German Beer with Bratwurst and Sauerkraut.
The Editor

Better late than never… considering that in some parts of the World it has just turned Midnight or 2009.
Happy New Year from Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center in Palawan Philippines,
I have only received these images. I guess being on this Paradise Island things take just a bit longer to reach us.
Party time on the Beach with a spectacular fireworks display is a long standing tradition at Club Paradise…NOW you might say…I wish I could have been there…well there is always next year but make sure you book early.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year from Asia Divers and El Galleon
in Puerto Galera Philippines

The first and last for today Asia Diver has send in their images and as expected everybody is looking red eyes, hugging and kissing at the Point Bar.
A very Happy New Year from Asia Divers in Puerto Galera.
GD

This Happy New Years event is brought to you direct from Manila with connection to all our partner destinations in the Philippines and Micronesia.

That is how they celebrate in Chuuk at the Truk Stop Hotel and Dive Center, it is 2009 in Chuuk NOW…
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Our first report is from Chuuk due to the time difference then Palau and of course the Philippines. If for some reason we don’t get anything live from some of our partners I have only one explanation…the Alcohol has taken its toll… they all having a great and fantastic time at the Dive Centers and Resorts, but I try my very best to connect with them all. Please stay tuned and if you missed it tonight then check it tomorrow afternoon, I don’t think morning is a good Idea in particular for our divers, after all we should NOT go diving after a heavy night. So, sit back and have a relaxing day at the Beach, go snorkeling or sleep all day, it is after all your well deserved vacation.
Remember Safety First!
Happy New Year from the virtual office of the Philippine–Micronesia Alliance and all the partners. The Divers Choice.
GD

Just arrived direct from Chuuk or better know as Truk Lagoon
the ultimate destination in Wreck Diving.

New Years Eve in Chuuk – Truk Lagoon

Here is a photo of our guests with some of our staff competing with the locals for loudest group in a flatbed truck.

Those who have spent New Year’s Eve in Chuuk, or Truk Lagoon, all say the same thing about the experience –
IT’S LOUD…
We don’t have fire crackers or fire works but what we have thousands of young men and women walking and riding around in trucks beating and banging on anything that will make noise. There is a beat, and sometimes chanting, that goes along with this activity but one thing is consistent – IT’S LOUD, IT’S VERY, VERY LOUD.

The Truk Stop Hotel & Dive Center has 10 divers in the hotel over the Christmas Season and they were guests at the hotel Christmas Party and now have experienced New Years Eve in Chuuk. Our Guests are:

From Germany: Werner and Carola Behrens

From Finland:Ismo Visa
Pekka Kemppairen
Jari Nurmi
Teppo Ilmanen
Sanna Elden-Pehrsson
Harri Pehrsson

From America:Mitchell Hall
Howard Gaiser

In support of the Sharks, please take a few moments and THINK! I have been in touch with “The Sharkman” and like to introduce you today to The Year Of The Shark - 2009 which need help and all our support for 2009.
“Let Sharks Live”
The Philippine - Micronesia Alliance. The Divers Choice...because we care!
GD

THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE SHARK in 2009

… was inspired by the finding that at the current rate, common shark species will be extinct in 10 to 15 years. In large regions, species that were once numerous have fallen to 1% of their original numbers. Studies of open ocean sharks estimate 80 to 90% of heavily fished species are gone. Yet these intelligent animals, also called the “Wolves of the Sea” are still fished intensively, and finned for “shark fin soup.” The oceans have evolved over hundreds of millions of years with sharks as apex predators, so their loss will destroy oceanic health.
HELP SPREAD THE WORD:
SAVE SHARKS FROM EXTINCTION
The LET SHARKS LIVE shark protection network & think tank:
http://groups.google.com.mt/group/let-sharks-live?hl=en

Sharkman's World Organization
(to save & protect sharks)
www.sharkmans-world.org
------------------------------------------
Sharkman's Blog
http://sharkmans-world.blogspot.com/
------------------------------------------
The Shark Group On line List Forum
http://groups.google.com/group/The_Shark_Group?hl=en
------------------------------------------
Let Sharks Live Network
http://groups.google.com.mt/group/let-sharks-live?hl=en
------------------------------------------
Year Of The Shark - 2009
http://www.year-of-the-shark-2009.org

Congratulations from the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance to DivePhotoGuide for winning Best Website At Antibes, the PMA is proud to be associated with DPG and congrats again to Jason Heller and his Team.

GD
PS. Stay tuned for an article by Matt Weiss soon on the DPG Website, about Puerto Galera in the Philippines.

© Gunther Deichmann - I thought it be appropriate to
use this image and Congratulate Jason and his Team.

DivePhotoGuide Wins Best Website At Antibes
Author: Jason Heller / November 01, 2008 12:00AM MDT Category: Photo
Antibes, Antibes 2008, Competition, Event, World Festival of Underwater Pictures, Awards
We were just informed by Gyula "Jules" Somogyi, live from the award show at the 35th annual World Festival of Underwater Images in Antibes, France, that DivePhotoGuide was awarded the the prize for best "Educational Website".

We are honored to receive this recognition from such a prestigious competition and I want to take this opportunity to thank all of our readers from around the world as well as our exceptional team - Wendy Heller, Matt Weiss, Gyula Somogyi, Andrea & Antonella Ferrari, and Keri Wilk. You guys rock and I'm honored to have such an amazing bunch of people on our team who share an intense passion for underwater imagery and the ocean...read more @ DivePhotoGuide

Alliance Partners in Shanghai China Dive
and Expat Expo September 2008

Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center attended the CDEX Dive Expo and at the Expat Show in Shanghai, from Friday 18th to 21 Sept.
Juergen Warnke and Dirk Fahrenbach have just returned from the Expo with some very good results. Both events where held at the same time in Shanghai and some booking coming in already, below some images from Dirk Fahrenbach.
One of the highlights was a Cocktail evening with JW and DOT. (Philippine Department of Tourism)

Tags: DIVE Expo, Expat Expo, Shanghai China, Tourism

Announcement....just received from Fins Magazine and the Winner is...

Layang Layang, 27 July 2008 - Congratulations to the winners of the
Layang Layang Underwater Digital Photo Shootout 2008!

After six days of friendly competition among 34 competitors from 10 countries, a panel of three internationally acclaimed underwater photographers (Settimio Ciprianni, Stephen Wong and Rod Klein) selected winning images from entries submitted by contest participants.

Each of the participating divers undertook the challenge of creating beautiful and creative images during their dives around Layang Layang, with contest rules permitting everyone to submit up to three images in each of two categories — macro and wide-angle.

Given the world-renowned, rich waters around Layang Layang, as well as the determination and skill of the contest participants, it’s no surprise that Read more…

Letter from Fins Magazine...

Hi Alan, Tommy, Dermot and Bill
The Layang Layang Underwater Shootout 2008 has already finished. The results have been announced in FiNS Blog already. The feedback about PMA from the event was very good. Most of the participants feel like the three prizes from you are the most attractive. Some of them have just heard of Puerto Galera, Truk and Palau, but never considered to visit there. During the event, divers talked about the prizes, and talked about diving in Philippines and Micronesia a lot. In my opinion it was quite effective.

And here are the winners of your three prizes:

Puerto Galera by Asia Divers with El Gallean Beach Resort
and Blue Horizon Travel
Ms. Leander Maree Wiseman (Australia)

Palau with Sam's Tours
Mr George Russel Childress (USA)

Truk Lagoon with Truk Lagoon Dive Center
Mr Adam Daniel Butler (UK)

Tags: Layang Layang, Underwater Shootout 2008, PHOTOGRAPHY, Digital Photo , FiNS MAGAZINE, COMPETITION

DID YOU KNOW? Is brought to you by the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance, the Divers Choice.
We care about our Environment!



To go to the Center click on the image
The Armenian Center for Contemporary Experimental Art: ACCEA
" NPAK" in Armenian acronymis an alternative center for avant-garde
and modern art in Yerevan, Armenia

We have to take care of our PLANET and the ENVIRONMENT otherwise there be nothing left for our Children…
we all need to contribute & STOP Global Warming.

Some of Gunther Deichmann's images have been recently part of an international Exhibition in Armenia...for more detailed information some links below… many other international Photographers have contributed images for the Exhibition and environmental awareness, for a complete list of all the participants and sponsors including the WWF World Wildlife Fund in Armenia go to the provided links below…
I am happy and proud to have been part of this Exhibition in providing images creating awareness for our fragile environment.

Click on the image above and view the Exhibition
with images and slide shows from all
the international participants.

The image above was taken in Palau Micronesia it was used as the Cover
for the official Exhibition Booklet, for other environmental related images
by Gunther Deichmann click the link below:
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/environment.html



WHY BURNING MY HOME...THINK!
Slide show of the images from the Exhibition by Gunther Deichmann
click on the link or image above.
http://www.davosstudio.com/Exhibition/Participants/Gunther%20Deichmann/

Tags: MARINE, WILDERNESS, DIVING

Welcome back Dirk Fahrenbach… the lad just strolled into the office 5 minutes ago with some photos and information from the ADEX Dive Show in Singapore.
Great to see Dirk again even I am fighting a hangover from my Birthday Party at the German Club last night. Some of Dirk’s photos below…Oh boy… Dirk, you missed a great evening…
with the great and ever so cool Jazz Band "Johnny Alegre - AFFINITY"

Photo: © Hermes Singson - Juergen Warnke
from Club Paradise and the President of the German Club
introduces Johnny Alegre and band.

Now back to ADEX and Dirk; Allan Nash and Tommy from Asia Divers with El Galleon attended the show at the Philippine Department of Tourism Booth…Wow Philippines. According to Dirk the ADEX show was the very best he had attended compared to previous years, getting many requests for diving with Dugongs and on the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance.
Jason Heller from Dive Photo Guide strolled around and Michael AW made his presents felt with a presentation for the up coming Celebrate the Sea Festival.

Our Philippine-Micronesia Alliance partners Dirk Fahrenbach from Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center
in Palawan with Allan Nash from Asia Divers with El Galleon Beach Resort in Puerto Galera Philippines...
posing with the Alliance brochure at the WOW Philippines Booth in Singapore 2008.



The WOW Philippine Booth at
ADEX DIVE SHOW Singapore 2008




Presentation on the Celebrate the Seas Festival
soon to be held in Manila at ADEX Singapore 2008

You have to forgive me today for not writing to much, I am still suffering a bit, but don’t worry more to come in the next few days including an article of some exciting new developments in Palawan…I guess you just have to stay tuned or subscribe to our Blog.
GD

Hot of the phone... only minutes ago I talked to Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center in Palawan who is attending the ADEX show in Singapore other Alliance partners attending the show are Asia Divers from Puerto Galera with Allan Nash, according to Dirk the show is well represented with old friends like Jason Heller from Dive Photo Guide and many others...for sure I am getting some images in the next few days with a detailed report. Just stay tuned or subscribe.
GD

See below the latest NEWS from Fins Magazine...
MacDive Matchmaker

This information has been provided by Fins Magazine... click the link above for more information...

Saturday, 19th April 2008, 12:48 pm by FiNS Team

Realising that his beloved Suunto D9 and Mac computer were having communication issues, Singapore-based Kiwi Nick Shore created MacDive, a free application to help the two get along.
Nick says: “There wasn’t an application that had the functionality I wanted or the look and feel of a Mac application, and I thought it would be easiest to just start from scratch and make the exact app I wanted. Plus, this way I could make it free. I worked on MacDive in my spare time after work. It’s been a real labour of love. I know there are many divers who are also Mac users and who, like me, have been frustrated with the lack of options available for Macs. I hope MacDive will help make them happy.”
While developing MacDive, a number of divers in Singapore loaned him their Suuntos for testing. As a result, the application is currently compatible with the D9, D6, D3, Cobra, Cobra 2, Vyper, Vyper 2, Gekko, Vytec and Mosquito.
Nick plans to continue developing MacDive, adding support for more dive computer brands as well as additional functionality, and he’s keen to receive user feedback on where to take the application next.
At the same time, Nick is working on a project with two programmers and divers from Belgium and Canada to make it easier to develop applications for the majority of dive computers on the market.”First things first, though. I’ve got to get in the water and do some testing of my own!”
MacDive is available for free download at: http://thedoorisajar.org/macdive

Just received this letter (see below) from Lee Goldman, Marine Biologist who leading a Wilderness Travel Expedition to the Philippine Islands, find out more about his Wilderness Travel Expedition, go to our previous Blog and click the link below.
http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/jan-2008.html

In his letter Lee expressed his sincere thanks to Jem from Blue Horizons Travel I like also to take this opportunity and thank Jem personally for his hard work and effort in helping to put together the super package and Prize for the Layang Layang Photo Contest a lot more details on this later, thanks Jem.

© Gunther Deichmann

Soon a new member of the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance, Lee will be joining us with his extraordinary and very exiting Kayak tours in Palawan and beyond, subscribe and stay tuned for the official announcement.
GD

His tour has just been in the top listing of the Concierge,
Best Adventure Trips 2008!
http://www.concierge.com/ideas/skiadventure/tour/detail?id=1729&page=11


Hi Gunther,

A while back you blogged about my excitement and appreciation for the significant inclusion of Club Paradise onto our new Wilderness Travel Expedition to the Philippine Islands.

I should also mention that another one of your Micronesian-Philippine Alliance partners has made important contributions as well. Jem Kemp from Blue Horizon Travel has been extremely helpful in arranging our flights to and from Legaspi, where we will continue on to Donsol for a couple of days snorkeling with Whale Sharks, and for all of the transfers for our guests when they arrive in Manila.

While it may sound easy, from my point of view, it helped to keep me from pulling even more of my hair out of my head while trying to coordinate all of the other activities for our 12 day tour. So, when coordinating 5 days of luxury kayak camping (that’s tents, supplies, equipment, personnel and their travel arrangement, the outfitting of our new boat, coordination of the daily excursions, food procurement, and contingency plans) became almost as much as I can handle, Jem came through by taking care of the guests in Manila, thus alleviating some of the weight from my shoulders.
Thanks Jem!
Lee Goldman, Marine Biologist and Tour leader

Photos: © Gunther Deichmann – Images from Palawan…the last frontier in the Philippines and a heaven for nature lovers, pristine beaches, crystal clear water surrounded by majestic limestone cliffs and spectacular diving… explore and discover this incredible part of the Philippines with Lee Goldman and our other Alliance partners. A pure natures paradise.

Click on the images above and see more photos from all our partner destinations.

Asia Divers our partner in Puerto Galera visits Palawan frequently for the wrecks in Coron Bay, Asia Divers with El Galleon Beach Resort is also a major sponsor of the Layang Layang Photo Contest,
for more info on Wreck diving with Asia Divers check out our previous blog from David Ross at:
http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/category-asia-divers-articles.html

DID YOU KNOW? Is brought to you by the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance, the Divers Choice.
We care about our Environment!

Cucumber Salad? No this one is very different... nothing to do with cooking or your favorite chefs Salad...however this could be very important for the future...and again another medical source from our ocean, we have to be so careful, protect and stop polluting our natural resources and Oceans. Read on below...

I also like to announce the Alliance partners who generously contributed to the Layang Layang Photo Contest in Malaysia, we announce the very cool prizes shortly on our Blog.
However the participating partners are in the Philippines: Asia Divers with El Galleon Beach Resort in Puerto Galera - in Micronesia Sam's Tours Palau and Truk Stop Dive Center and Hotel in Chuuk or better known as Truk Lagoon.
Our Travel agent and partner Blue Horizons in Manila made all the arrangement and chipped in also for the winners, a lot more in details soon on the website of Fins Magazine and more on our Blog...soon, very soon we let you have all the fantastic details.
YOU have to stay tuned or just subscribe, dont miss out on this great event.
GD

"Sea slug' inspires brain implant"
Courtesy of...
By Jonathan Fildes
Science and technology reporter, BBC News

Sea cucumbers inspired the design of stimuli-responsive polymer nanocomposites with adaptive mechanical properties (Fred Carpenter)
The response of a startled sea cucumber has inspired a new material that could one day be used to build brain implants for patients with Parkinson's disease.
The material can rapidly switch from being rigid to flexible and vice versa.
Writing in the journal Science, US researchers describe how species of the sea creatures "tense" when threatened.

The new material mimics this ability, and could be used to make advanced brain electrodes which are stiff when implanted, yet supple inside the body.
Adding water changes the state of the material.
"The water acts as a chemical switch," Dr Christoph Weder, one of the team who developed the material, told the BBC News website.
This is important as the brain is around 75% water.

Chemical change
The material consists of naturally occurring nanofibres, or "whiskers", carefully embedded in a polymer.

The cellulose fibres, each just 25 nanometres (billionths of a metre) in diameter, are harvested from a different sessile sea creature known as a tunicate or sea squirt.
The nanofibres are taken from filter-feeding tunicates

"There are many sources of nanofibres such as cotton or wood [which could be substituted]," said Dr Weder.
The structure of the as yet un-named material mimics the skin of sea cucumbers which have collagen nanofibres embedded in a soft connective tissue.
"These creatures can reversibly and quickly change the stiffness of their skin," explained Dr Jeffrey Capadona, another member of the team.
"Normally it is very soft; but for example in response to a threat, the animal can activate its 'body armour' by hardening its dermis."

Changes to the stiffness of the sea cucumber's skin are thought to be triggered by chemicals secreted by the animal's nervous system that rearrange the collagen threads.
"Our architecture is the same, but the chemistry is different," explained Dr Weder.
In the absence of water, the nanofibres are held together by chemical links known as hydrogen bonds. This gives the material its rigidity.

There is a mechanical mismatch - the electrode is rigid but the brain is more like jello
Christoph Weder
When exposed to water, the water molecules "competitively bond" with the fibres. "The water also likes to stick to the cellulose," said Dr Weder.
This has an effect of "ungluing" the fibre-to-fibre bonds, and the material becomes about 1,000 times softer, with the consistency of rubber.
When the water evaporates, a network of cross-linked whiskers reforms, stiffening the material.

Brain aid... read the whole article and view the images @ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7279088.stm

More and more elections this time of the year, we have had Putin and Russia, then in the US Obama v Hillary plus all the others, I think in Iran soon, it is all over the place not to mention the Shark vote from the other day on our blog and now Tubbataha Reef has been nominated as one of the seven new Wonders of the World.

Cast YOUR vote below!

The Philippine-Micronesia Alliance is supporting the conservation and protection
of this unique reef in the Philippines.

The 96,000- hectare Tubbataha Reef, Asia's best marine park, has been nominated as one of the seven new Wonders of the World.



© Gunther Deichmann - sharks are a common sight at the Tubbataha Reef

Tubbataha Reef is an atoll coral reef in the Sulu Sea that belongs to the Philippines. It is a marine sanctuary protected as Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park. The reef is composed of two atolls, North and South Reefs. Each reef has a single small islet that protrudes from the water. The atolls are separated by a deep channel 8 kilometers wide. Over one thousand species, including many that are endangered, can be found at on the reef. These include manta rays, lionfish, tortoises, clownfish and sharks. You can vote for Tubbataha Reef by going to this site: http://www.new7wonders.com/nature Search for the nominees and you will be asked to vote for 7 sites. The trick is, choose Tubbataha Reef as your first choice and for the other six, select the most unknown nominees. This gives more chances for Tubbataha to make it to the top 21 finalists. Presently, it's ranked top 29, up from top 35 last week.

Late breaking NEWS...

The Philippine - Micronesia Alliance proudly announces to be part of this years Layang Layang Photo Contest in Malaysia as one of the sponsors, we announce the operators and destinations very shorly on our Blog, incredible prizes for the winners of this years contest, stay tuned for more details in the coming days.
GD

ФИЛИППИНЫ - МИКРОНЕЗИЯ АЛЬЯНСУ ® 2008



ДОБРО ПОЖАЛОВАТЬ К НАШЕМУ ФИЛИППИНЫ - МИКРОНЕЗИЯ АЛЬЯНСУ ЭТО ТВОЙ ЛУЧШИЙ ПАРТНЕР ДЛЯ ПЕРВОКЛАССНОГО ПОДВОДНОГО ОТПУСКА

You have to check this article... very cool indeed, from Dive Photo Guide, one of our supporters in the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance. I guess it is very cool at this time of the year in Russia...but the girls are...
From Russia with Love... sounds familiar...yes, even more so once you see some of the images from the Golden Dolphin Show you have to see these Girls...
I have included below for our Russian readers an intro into the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance in their russian language. Enjoy the article from Dive Photo Guide and have your own opinion on the photos...brrrrrrrrr but so HOT..., well the russians certainly have a very different approach, how would that be in the tropics?
GD

2008 Golden Dolphin Photo and Film Festival in Moscow
Author: Jason Heller / March 01, 2008 12:00AM MST
Golden Dolphin, Moscow, Russia,
by Gyula Somogyi

February 14 - 17, 2008: Moscow was home to the VII Annual International Foto and Film Festival, the Golden Dolphin. The capital of the Russian Federation serves as a huge scene to this festival - the combination of the beauty of the underwater world and the rich city results a very colorful and lively festival and exhibition.

The big exhibition hall is in the Gostivny Dvor, just a few steps form the famous Red Square. The huge open air space accommodated all the booths, the movie theater booth and the photo exhibition as well.

Golden Dolphin Moscow Scuba Expo
Make no mistake: the heavy diving market of Russia is one of the biggest in the world! Several newspapers, tabloids, websites and diving clubs serve the demand of the diving community, especially in Moscow. Sim Magazine has chosen a very special way to promote the magazine, as you can see here below...you don't see this type of promotion in the US.

Read the whole article and check out some "Hot" images just click this link.

See below for our Russian friends, all our partners have their pages in russian, plus so many other languages to choose from...

ФИЛИППИНЫ - МИКРОНЕЗИЯ АЛЬЯНСУ ® 2008

ДОБРО ПОЖАЛОВАТЬ К НАШЕМУ ФИЛИППИНЫ - МИКРОНЕЗИЯ АЛЬЯНСУ ЭТО ТВОЙ ЛУЧШИЙ ПАРТНЕР ДЛЯ ПЕРВОКЛАССНОГО ПОДВОДНОГО ОТПУСКА

Огромная площадь теплых тропических вод Тихого океана между Филиппинами и Микронезией известна среди дайверов всего мира еще и своим богатым многообразием подводного мира. Более 1300 наименований рыб, более 700 видов кораллов... Здесь вы найдете бесконечное множество тем для подводных съемок, включая и удивительную коллекцию ...затонувших кораблей.

Наш ислючительный индивидуальный сервиc от первоклассных отелей для подводников на Филиппинах, Палау и рэк-лагун в Микронезии, а также разнообразие туристических маршрутов делает путешествия и подводное плавание в этом фантастическом месте Тихого океана еще интересней и удобней, чем прежде. Пережитые подводные впечатления останутся в вашей памяти навсегда.

Филиппины-Микронезия Альянс обладает лучшими отелями, которые могут быть предложены в этих местах. Наши партнеры подобраны нами так тщательно, чтобы помочь каждому подводнику провести первоклассный отпуск на самом высоком уровне профессионализма, безопасности и наслаждений.

Итак, передайте планирование Вашего отпуска нашим целевым экспертам. Мы озаботимся о том, чтобы Ваши тихоокеанские приключения стали единственными в своем роде впечатлениями. Сядьте поудобнее, расслабтесь и предоставьте нам спланировать отпуск вашей мечты, мечты каждого подводника.

Вашими партнерами в высоклассном подводном отпуске являются:

На Филлипинах - Asia Divers with El Galleon Resort, Puerto Galera, Club Paradise & Dugong Diving Center, Palawan Pinjalo Diver Resort, Boracay

В Паллау, Микронезии - Sam’s Tours, Palau Truk Lagoon Dive Center, Chuuk

Celebrate the Sea Festival: 13-15 June in Manila

PRESS RELEASE

Following the success of the 2007 festival which received participation from a global audience of novice and professional competitors, children and even President Gloria Arroyo of the Republic of the Philippines, OceanNEnvironment Australia is pleased to announce in collaboration with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Philippines Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD), to present the 7th ‘Celebrate the Sea Marine Imagery Festival Philippines 2008’.
Celebrate the Sea has seen the greatest increase in competitors since inception in 2002 with over 5500 entries from 38 countries. The 2008 festival is destined to be bigger and much bolder than ever before – the main venue for the 3 days festival from 13 to 15 June is confirmed to be stage at the brand new Manila Ocean Park, the Philippines’ first state-of-the-art Oceanarium comprising of open water marine habitat, boutique mall, and restaurants.

The primary objective of the CTS festival remains; to have the world dedicates a day to remember and celebrate the sea, like a Christmas or a New Years day. If and when it is achieved, then most certainly the current dreadful state of the sea will have hope redeemed for the coming generations of humanity. For now, Celebrate the Sea is the biggest underwater pictures festival outside of Europe where the ‘World Festival of Underwater Pictures’ (Festival Mondial de l'Image Sous Marine) is staged annually in Antibes, France, now in its 35th year. Celebrate the Sea festival is seen as the dominant platform to promote conservation providing education and entertainment to create greater awareness of our ocean environment. The world’s best marine images and films have a powerful effect on both the diving and non-diving community.

The 2008 festival will comprise of imagery presentations and seminars by a panel of world renowned image makers and marine scientists such Peter Scoone, cinematographer of the BBC Blue Planet series, Dr Phil Nyutten, David Doubilet, Jennifer Hayes and Emory Kristof of National Geographic, Dr Carden Wallace, coral scientist, Fred Buyle – four times world free diving champion, Scott Tuason, author and underwater photographer and Daniel Mercier – founder World Underwater Picture Festival will be on site to officiate the festival.

One of the principal highlights is the International Underwater film festival; 15 recent award winning features from the World Festival of Underwater Pictures, Antibes will be presented at Celebrate the Sea. There will also be a photo exhibition of benchmarked underwater images by some of the world's best underwater photographers plus all the prints in the competition.
Photographers and films makers, send in your entries now to compete in Asia Pacific's most prestigious international underwater imagery competition where the premier prize is the conferred title of ‘President, Grand Award of Highest Achievement 2008’ with US$2000 as prize money. (www.CelebratetheSea.com)

It gets even better if you are visiting the Philippines any time from 1 March to 30 May; stay and dive with one of the participating resorts / operators and you will be eligible to enter your video or pictures in the WOW Philippines Imagery competition. Held in conjunction with Celebrate the Sea Festival 2007, Philippines, you will be diving in some of the most beautiful and enchanting reefs in the world.

You will be competing for one of these prestigious titles:

The WOW Award – for the most outstanding image or video story

The Hi Five Award – for the highest scoring or the most well balanced portfolio

The Quick Draw Award – for the best action shot or video story

Yes, there will be medals, cash, equipment and holiday package prizes for all categories and as well as for the WOW imagery competitors. The cash and holiday prizes for the WOW Imagery competition is sponsored the Manila Ocean Park and supporting sponsors.

All winners, qualifies as a contender for the ‘President Grand Award of Highest Achievement 2008 with cash prize of USD2000*

ROLEX is the main sponsor, supporting the hosting of Rolex’s ambassador. Philippines Airlines, the official airline for festival. For more info: email cts@oneocean.com; www.celebratethesea.com

About Celebrate the Sea

Statistically, Celebrate the Sea’s Marine Imagery Festival is the biggest imaging event of the sea staged in the Asia Pacific. Since 2002 the annual festival previously held in Singapore and Malaysia has attracted entries from over 38 countries. The 2008 festival is scheduled from 13 to June in Manila

Held in association with the World Festival of Underwater Pictures, Antibes – also known as the ‘Cannes of Underwater Films festival’, the presenters proposed to retain Celebrate the Sea to Manila in 2008 with the intention of making the city the permanent home of the festival for three years. This will invariably position Manila as the capital of underwater imagery in the Asia Pacific.

Now in its seventh year, Celebrate the Sea Festival promotes the beauty of our oceans to entertain and inspire, and more importantly, to motivate and inspire people to take action in preserving our natural environment. The ‘Oscars’ of underwater imagery is the highlight of the Celebrate the Sea Festival where the winners of the CTS International Underwater Imagery Competition and the Philippines Shoot Out competition will be revealed at a gala award ceremony on 14 June 2008. Along with medals, cash and holiday package prizes, the most coveted title for 2008 will be the ‘President Grand Award of Highest Achievement 2007’ which includes the US$2000 cash prize.

About the Principal Highlights

International Underwater Imagery Competitions

The centrepiece of the Celebrate the Sea Festival has always been its international imagery competitions and with $35,000 worth of prizes up for grabs it is the most prestigious underwater imaging competition in the Asia Pacific. Open to anyone in the world, the macro, wide angle and black and white photographs, digital images, short video and feature documentary films, and books, lend truly international flair to this festival. In 2007, the 5500 entries were received from 38 countries.

WOW Philippines Imagery competition

All that is required to enter this prestigious competition, competitors is required to stay/dive with one of the participating resorts/dive operators in the Philippines anytime from 1 February to 10 May 2008. Competitors must submit their entries by 15 May. The results will be announced during the awards ceremony along with the results of the international competition.

International Underwater Film Festival

15 award winning documentary features from the World Underwater Pictures Festival Antibes will be specially brought in for screening through the 3-day weekend festival. Selected entries from the films in competition will also be shown.

Seminars and Preserving Our Seas Forum

The Celebrate the Sea Festival also includes a 'seminars' component. Past presenters include international underwater luminaries Dr Sylvia Earle, Stan Waterman, David Doubilet, Dr Phil Nyutten, Neville Coleman, Ron & Valerie Taylor, Emory Kristoff and also principal scientists like Dr Mark Erhmann, Dr Carden Wallace etc. David Doubilet from the National Geographic is confirmed for Philippines while the organiser is actively drawing some of the most celebrated underwater image makers and marine scientists as panellists for the event. The conference runs concurrently with the film festival and the local school and university students will be invited to attend this conference at no charge.

Photographic Galleries:

The finalists for the underwater photography and children's painting competition will be prominently displayed during the three-day event.


For more information contact: cts@oneocean.com

________________________________________

World Travel market is still on going with Jeremy and Alex from Blue Horizons Travel, poor guys freezing most likely in London, we have introduced some of our Partners the other day and bring you now some more Alliance partners from the Philippines and Micronesia, check with the boys at the WTM in London for all our packages and make sure you part of their Raffle, for more info check the previous blog.

The Philippine-Micronesia Alliance in London
at the World Travel Market Show.

Calypso/Pinjalo Dive Resort, Boracay, Philippines

Sam's Tours Palau, Micronesia

Truk Stop Hotel and Dive Center, Truk Lagoon, Chuuk, Micronesia

We have also made some more improvement to our web site, you find it easy now to go direct to certain articles and read all about Did You Know? (see the image on this blog)
If you have never tried or checked it before click on our build in Photo Gallery in our Blogs, marked with a red circle, once you click here you see the amazing Photos from all our partner destinations, images from above and below, Island hopping, Palau Micronesia, Marine Bio-diversity, the amazing wrecks from Truk Lagoon, or check the location of our beaches.
GD



left Image; find articles easy now. - right : check out our Photo Gallery
You find all of this on the right hand side of our blog!

____________________________________

Get to know the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance and their representatives at this years World Travel Market in London, meet Jeremy and Alex from Blue Horizons.
On todays blog we introduce to you Asia Divers with El Galleon from Puerto Galera which has one of the best Marine Bio-Diversity in the world, a sheer heaven for underwater photographers, and there is Club Paradise with Dugong Dive Center with a spectacular house reef and the only place in the Philippines where you can spot Dugongs, it is a real natures paradise. Tomorrow we bring you our other partners from Boracay in the Philippines and Palau Micronesia so please stay tuned, check with Alex and Jeremy for all you dive vacation and island hopping needs at the WTM.

Thanks to the generosity of the Alliance members, members who have pledged something for the raffle so far include:
Asia Divers, Puerto Galera Philippines, Calypso/Pinjalo Dive Resort, Boracay, Philippines, Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center in Palawan, Philippines, 
Blue Horizons Travel, Manila and Sams Tours our partner in Micronesia.  
There is also a grand price. is it real big? I guess you have to find out when visiting the WTM. Maybe a trip for a two week vacation? I keep it a bit of a secret now, you just visit Alex and Jeremy at the Show and find out, hope to see you all there.
Good Luck!

_______________________________________

As promised here it is: "The Philippine-Micronesia Alliance" at the World Travel Market with our representatives from Blue Horizons
Jeremy and Alex at the show.
We are happy to announce some very cool Raffles and a lot more...

We will be giving away several prizes during the WTM.... and all travel agents who visit us during the WTM and leave their calling card with us (Blue Horizons) will be included in the draw. So if you ready for your next dive vacation or holiday, or just go island hopping from one island to another, check out our great white sandy beaches after your dive... and there is so much more we can arrange for you, just talk to Alex and Jeremy for all the details at the WTM.
 
You can win minor prizes - such as stuffed toys - every day (Monday 12th November - Thursday 15th November), and we will be giving away one or two 'major' prizes on the afternoon of Wednesday 14th November. If the winners are not present during the draw, it does not matter because they will also be notified by email.

 

Thanks to the generosity of the Alliance members, members who have pledged something for the raffle so far include:
Asia Divers, Puerto Galera Philippines, Calypso/Pinjalo Dive Resort, Boracay, Philippines, Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center in Palawan, Philippines, 
Blue Horizons Travel, Manila and Sams Tours our partner in Micronesia.  
There is also a grand price. is it real big? I guess you have to find out when visiting the WTM. Maybe a trip for a two week vacation? I keep it a bit of a secret now, you just visit Alex and Jeremy at the Show and find out, hope to see you all there.
Good Luck!

DID YOU KNOW? Is brought to you by the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance, the Divers Choice.
We care about our Environment!



Your passion is diving... ours is service.

The Divers Choice.

Welcome to World Travel Market 2007
Register Now
World Travel Market (WTM) 2007

Staged annually in London under one roof, World Travel Market is a must attend, business to business exhibition. WTM provides a unique opportunity for the whole global travel trade industry to meet, network, negotiate, conduct business and stay abreast with the latest developments in the travel industry. Read more about WTM...

http://www.wtmlondon.com
/App/homepage.cfm?moduleid=4066&appname=100539

The Philippine -Micronesia Alliance is represented by:
Blue Horizons Travel and Tours, Inc.

Delegates: Alex Stutely and Jeremy Kemp
representing Blue Horizons and the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance
your experts in island hopping and dive travel. The Divers Choice.
Check with Jeremy and Alex about our special dive packages, our exotic destinations, island hopping, your next dive vacation in the Philippines, the Pacific, China Sea and Micronesia,
and remember the Alliance website is in 9 languages, English, German, Russian, French, Spanish, Italian, Korean, Chinese and Japanese.
You can find Jeremy and Alex at the Philippine Department of Tourism Booth (DOT), just ask for the Guys from Blue Horizons.
The Philippines will again be putting its best foot forward during this year’s World Travel Market, to be held at London’s ExCel exhibition center at the Docklands,
from 12 to 15 November.The WTM, staged yearly in London, is one of the world’s biggest and most important business events. It provides a unique opportunity for people and companies in the travel trade and tourism industry to meet, network, negotiate, conduct business and stay abreast with the latest developments in this global business.

Welcome to the The Philippine-Micronesia Alliance, your partners in quality diving holidays!,
Willkommen bei der Fillippinen-Mikronesien Allianz, ihr Partner für erstklassigen Tauchurlaub!
ДОБРО ПОЖАЛОВАТЬ К НАШЕМУ ФИЛИППИНЫ - МИКРОНЕЗИЯ АЛЬЯНСУ ЭТО ТВОЙ ЛУЧШИЙ ПАРТНЕР ДЛЯ ПЕРВОКЛАССНОГО ПОДВОДНОГО ОТПУСКА
Bienvenue à l'Alliance Philippine-Micronesia, vos partenaires pour des séjours plongée de choix.
Benvenuti nell’Alleanza Filippine – Micronesia, I vostri partners per vacanze di qualita’ nel campo delle immersioni!
Bienvenidos a la Alianza Filipinas-Micronesia , sus compañeros para esas vacaciones de buceo de calidad!
and of course Japanese, Korean, Chinese and very soon Polish.

See you there!

______________________________

DID YOU KNOW? Is brought to you by the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance, the Divers Choice.
We care about our Environment!

© Gunther Deichmann, Location of
Sam's Tours Palau, (red circle)

© Gunther Deichmann, Sam's Tours Palau

I just arrived back from Palau Micronesia, and so many things happen during my visit, Sam's Tours Grand Opening and 17th Anniversary, all new facilities are fully operational now, read the blog post from Dermot Keane the General Manager below for all the details.
The Survivor TV show shooting their latest episode as we speak, of course they are very secret about everything, then the Discovery Channel shooting at the same time a new story on the Bone Detectives and to top it all an international Canoe Race competition "The Micronesia Cup" was held at the same time, participants from Guam, Singapore, Palau, Australia, Patagonia and many others competing in this race, talking about a buzzing Palau.
Our Alliance partner Blue Horizons Travel and Tours is leaving soon for the World Travel Market Show held in London, England, I am sure I get the full report upon their return so please stay tuned.
Check out some of the images below from some of these events, thanks.
GD

Blue Horizons Travel and Tours, Inc.
Delegates: Alex Stutely and Jeremy Kemp
representing Blue Horizons and the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance
your experts in island hopping and dive travel. The Divers Choice.

The Philippines will again be putting its best foot forward during this year’s World Travel Market, to be held at London’s ExCel exhibition center at the Docklands,
from 12 to 15 November.The WTM, staged yearly in London, is one of the world’s biggest and most important business events. It provides a unique opportunity for people and companies in the travel trade and tourism industry to meet, network, negotiate, conduct business and stay abreast with the latest developments in this global business.

© Gunther Deichmann, New facilities at Sam's Tours
and new paved carpark

Sam Scott opening speech on the 26th of October

It's Done! The New Sam's Tours is officially launched!
(below the blog post from Dermot)

Well, it's been a long time in the making, but it's finally done! Sam's Tours remodel project has come to a close and the new "improved" Sam's Tours PADI 5-Star National Geographic Dive Center has been officially launched! As promised and previously posted, we've got complete new Guest Lockers, Rental Center and Compressor Room facilities, we've expanded our Guest Area, paved the parking lot, extended the roof, expanded and tidied up the bar, removed all the old shipping containers and given the whole place an overall facelift. We've already received very positive comments from the many repeat guests with us this week including Matt Zimmerman of ISLAND DIVERS in Honolulu who leads several trips a year to Palau and Wayne Daniels of Kauai, who extended his stay to join the party! Thanks Guys!

On Friday Night, October 26, on the Full Moon, we hosted a VIP Reception for staff, friends, family and business partners followed by an open house party with Live Music, snacks and lots of free Red Rooster Beer (the great local microbrewed beer). Over 400 people joined the party that went from 9pm to well after 3am, with music by the "no name band" made up of mostly non-resident workers from the Philippines. They did a fantastic job given that they were just a pick up band pulled together with little time to practice. They got the house rocking early on and kept the dance floor packed til the wee hours. Sam's wife Martul who manages Bottom Time Bar and Grill at Sam's and her great staff handled all the food and beverage service and kept the party "well lubricated".

In addition to celebrating the Grand Re-Opening of Sam's Tours, we also celebrated Sam's daughter Cyndis' 17th Birthday, Sam's Tours 17th Anniversary and the mid-season success of "Sam's Sharks" our staff basketball team who are now 7 and 1 and 3rd place in the league. Last night the Sharks crushed the team from Palasia Hotel in a 102 to 63 victory. GO SHARKS!

We had many great friends and business partners join us for the party including our very good friend and marketing partner Mr. Gunther Deichmann who traveled from Manila on Continental Airlines to join the party. Gunther produces all of Sam's Tours marketing materials, print ads, and built our new website. Gunther is a professional photographer with many books to his credit including the Palau Dives Sites book and his most recent work Journey Through Color and Time. Check out his website at www.deichmann-photo.com
Gunther will join us again in April when he'll run a Photo Workshop here at Sam's Tours featuring training on Apples image management software APERTURE! Stay tuned for more details.

While he was here in Palau, Gunther took the time to do a complete new photo shoot of our new facilities and even managed to jump in a helicopter with Matt from Palau Helicopters and shot the dive center every which way from the air. Palau Helicopters runs everyday (when they're not tied up with SURVIVOR Palau, who are here for the second time) and offers fantastic aerial tours of the Rock Islands. It's a must! Many thanks to Matt, the expert pilot from Palau Helicopters for some great flying!
Gunther is back in Manila tonight and very shortly I'll be posting his new images right here on our blog and on our website.
Sam is in Florida at the moment at the DEMA Trade Show, having left the next day after the big party. Ouch! Hope he's getting some sleep now because he was a man on a mission in the weeks leading up to the Launch Party keeping everyone on schedule and making sure we made our 10/26 deadline.
From all the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance partners, congrats Sam and well done!

"The Sharks" Sam's Tours Basketball Team

Canoe Race competition "The Micronesia Cup"

The team from Guam, "team spirit" red color hair